I want to turn all my power tools and batteries a universal connector like USB-C. I have a 3d printerand skills so getting the manual interface is easy enough, but I don’t a lot about ports and tech. I’m learning fast, but I’m not quite there yet.
From what I understand, I’d need to put a female port on the battery which isn’t difficult and has been done plenty for charging.
I’d need to put a male plug on the tools to interface with it, and my initial research says I can’t just solder the power pins to the cables in the tool, I’ll need a circuit board that requests the 20v from the usb source? Is that doable? It looks like I can pick them up on AliExpress. But I need a qualified adult to verify that’s what I need to do.
From there, would I be able to cord them with this method or would I need to build a better usb charger port?
Is there a better port to use? Usb-C is nice and small so I can fit it in wherever I like, but can it handle tool use? Would it be better to do usb or something else?
If you want tools to run off a wire, independent of battery, I’d suggest just buy mains powered tools with built in cords. It’s not worth the hassle - sorry that’s not a very diy answer. I think you’d find most diy tool projects would just use mains rated motors and such.
The power requirements is sort of the reason battery tools take a lot longer to charge than to run down (continuous).
Since you need approximately mains level power, then you need mains rated connectors, or probably even fatter wires depending on how much current there’ll be down at 20V. The tool itself probably has thermal cutoff(s) somewhere in it if it overheats, so you don’t want wires or connectors generating too much heat where that thermal cutoff won’t detect it.
I’d assume you don’t want to add a mains AC:DC 20V 20A converter into the “hand” tool side of the cable so that probably means thicker cables.
Mains powered tools are just designed better to do this @110/220V~. It keeps the current down so you can have thinner, lighter, longer more flexible wire.
Better just limit the USB to top up the battery at lower power. The battery would still deplete in use, but you’d be topping it up in between.
Yeah, I think for better or worse, the most universal and least consumerist “cordless” system is picking up your favorite used Mains corded tools, and getting yourself a Jackery/Ecoflow/whatever battery bank to plug into. This can be really cost effective for a DIY setup.
Petrol generator is probably cheaper. But still expensive.
I really hate proprietary batteries on powertools, so corded is tempting. But I can’t get power 250m away across a road and several other peoples gardens.
Jackery/similar are a far higher capacity than I would realistically need to run a few tools for a fairly brief duration but you need the big ones to have a high enough current limit to reliably run any kind of garden power tools I may need.
I found another solution though. Return to tradition! Got a hand scythe. Also working to remove most grass areas. Not 100% sure what to do with the space over winter when veg isn’t growing. More rhubarb? At least weeds don’t grow as much over winter either.
I have seen battery adapters that let you use one brand’s batteries on another brand’s tools. Though I think some newer batteries now use proprietary controllers in addition to proprietary formats.
Yeah, expectation of them doing HP style bullshit makes me want to refuse the entire thing.
Plus as long as hand tools do a good enough job there is something rather satisfying about using them. So much quieter too, I can hear the local cats if one of them turns up and wants a head scratch. Or if I have gloves on, a tummy rub.
yes. Brace and bits, screwdriver, hammer + chisel, a few hand planes a few handsaws axe.
These tools’ biological battery power source can be easily re-charged on the go by inserting waste vegetable matter. Lubricate regularly with beer (or other fermented waste vegetable matter).
That’s what i mostly use; I’m dealing with wood mostly though - and of course i do it in order to pass time, not to make up rent, so slower is just fine for me.
Scythe is worth having just for the coolness of the word - unfortunately I don’t have any use for one. Adze would be another good one I’d like to find cheap and sharpen up.
But I’ll grant the power tools awkward situations like up a ladder, stretching over precariously, a battery drill one handed can be useful.’
I generally prefer fermented fruits and honey. Although I suppose rhubarb is a vegetable, and one of the things I grow with hand tools.